South African police have been deployed across major cities as anti-immigrant protests gathered pace, prompting businesses to close and raising fears of violence. Demonstrators have demanded that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country, despite the government rejecting claims of any official deadline.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the right to protest does not permit intimidation, vandalism or violence, describing attempts to take the law into private hands as vigilantism. Police were deployed to contain unrest after some protesters reportedly broke away from planned marches, damaged property and set fires in parts of Johannesburg.
The protests, which began in April, have fuelled fears among foreign nationals. Thousands have sought shelter at embassies and consulates, while others have fled the country with assistance from their governments. Reports say several people have been killed in recent xenophobic attacks.
South Africa has a history of anti-immigrant violence, including deadly attacks in 2008, 2015, 2016 and 2019. The latest demonstrations come ahead of the country’s November elections, with immigration emerging as a major political issue.
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